Every March 25th Pisa celebrates its entry into the new year, recalling the 'Pisano style' calendar. Until 1749, Pisa had its own calendar according to which the first day of the year fell on March 25, the day of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary (and of the Incarnation). With 9 months in advance of the Gregorian calendar.

This is a particularly significant year for Pisa and its traditions because this year the anniversary of the 450th anniversary of the Gioco del Ponte falls. The first edition of the known and certain Game of the Bridge brings the date of 22 February 1568.

 

This year the program of initiatives designed for the New Year's Eve will be very busy and mainly dedicated to the challenge on the cart. "With the Pisan New Year, the season of Pisan historical events opens, relaunched in recent years - explains Mayor Marco Filippeschi - Pisa rediscovers its history and traditions and events become a driving force for tourism promotion".

 

 

Friday 23rd March

From 14 to 20 in Piazza Garibaldi: one day at the medieval market. Demonstrations of arts and crafts by the 'Fare Medievale' association of Monteleone Sabino

 

Saturday, March 24th

 

10 am to 11 pm: One day at the medieval market. Demonstrations of arts and crafts by the 'Fare Medievale' association of Monteleone Sabino

4 pm - Republican Arsenals: investiture of the role of the Gioco del Ponte

17.00 - Republican Arsenals: award ceremony for the 1982-2017 Bridge Game

6.00 pm - Fort of the Guelph Tower: inauguration of the exhibition "The Game of the Pisani Lords" on the occasion of the 450th anniversary of the Gioco del Ponte with a donation ceremony to the city of a historical exhibit of the 18th century Game

18.45 pm - In the historical center: 'Opus band', street music with the 'Frati suonatori' Badabimbumband

20.00 - Pisan restaurants: typical medieval dinners with dedicated menus

9.30 pm - In the historical center: 'Opus band', street music with the 'Frati suonatori'

23 hours: Fireworks show

 

Sunday, March 25th

From 9 to 19: One day at the medieval market. Demonstrations of arts and crafts by the 'Fare Medievale' association of Monteleone Sabino

10 am: from the main squares of the historic center departure of the historical correspondence that will cross the central axis of the city, Borgo Stretto and Corso Italia, to merge into Piazza dei Cavalieri. With the participation of the historical groups of the city, the province, the region; civil, religious and military authorities; training school for historical events

11 am - Piazza dei Cavalieri: arrival from various squares of the city of historical parades. Shows and performances until the entrance ceremony in 2019 (at 1pm for daylight saving time)

13.00 - Pisan restaurants: typical medieval dinners with dedicated menus

4 pm - Green area of the Cittadella (Terzanaia pisana): performances of the groups of the Pisan territory with crossbow shooting, disfida with the bow, Ancient Game of Mazzascudo, tournaments and sword duels with the possibility of the public to try, performances of musics, flag bearers and medieval dance. Game of the Bridge: disfida to the cart between Tramontana and Mezzogiorno

4 pm - In Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza del Carmine, Piazza XX Settembre, Piazza Garibaldi, Largo Ciro Menotti, Piazza delle Vettovaglie: parade and exhibition of Tuscan groups of historical re-enactment

18.00 - San Rossore Racecourse: 128th Galloping Pisa Prize with the historic parade of the Pisan New Year

18.45 pm: Regatta with the Palio di San Ranieri boats

7.15 pm: Crew awards

20.00 - Pisan restaurants: typical medieval dinners with dedicated menus

9.00 pm - Piazza dei Cavalieri: boreal concert by the Tramontana Party of the Gioco del Ponte